Alejandro Betancourt is a billionaire businessman whose origin of his fortune is questioned, as well as his ties to Chavismo, the political movement led by the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
Washington chose Betancourt to explore 17 oil deposits included in the pact signed between the United States and Venezuela.
The agreement was signed with the interim government of Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, representing a diplomatic rapprochement between the two countries.
Betancourt's selection to lead the exploration of the deposits sparked controversy due to existing doubts about the source of his wealth and his relationship with the Venezuelan regime.
